Queen Elizabeth I
(1533-1603), Reigned 1558-1603Sitter associated with 138 portraits
The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth came to the throne on the death of her half-sister, Mary I. Her long reign, beginning in 1558, saw the secure establishment of the Church of England. It was characterised by relative peace and prosperity, a great increase in foreign trade and exploration, and a flourishing literary culture. Despite receiving many proposals of marriage, Elizabeth remained single and became legendary as the 'virgin queen'. She had many favourites, but none more important than Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, who sought to win her hand in marriage.
More on Queen Elizabeth I: Who do you think you were? game | Elizabeth I and Her People exhibition
Explore the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II (NPG D48090) from all angles
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly late 17th to early 18th century
NPG D25030
by Johann Alexander Böner, after Jacob Loots (Loets)
line engraving, late 17th-early 18th century
NPG D42189
published by Paul van Somer
etching, late 17th century
NPG D21062
after Unknown artist
mezzotint, late 17th century
NPG D21056
Queen Mary I; Queen Elizabeth I
after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1677
NPG D34140
by Robert White
line engraving, circa 1681
NPG D25035
possibly by Robert White
line engraving, 1681
NPG D25038
by Robert White, published by Richard Chiswell
line engraving, circa 1681
NPG D42188
Queen Elizabeth I; Queen Mary II
by John Sturt, after Unknown artists
line engraving, circa 1689-1694
NPG D21066
Queen Elizabeth I; William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley; Sir Francis Walsingham
by William Faithorne
line engraving, published 1691
NPG D21065
by Cornelis Martinus Vermeulen, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D25036
by Cornelis Martinus Vermeulen, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, circa 1697
NPG D18749
'PROGNOSTICATION FAITE A ROME A UN AMBASSADEUR DU ROY D'ANGLETEREE, HENRY VII'
after Unknown artist
line engraving, perhaps 18th century
NPG D24166
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D25018
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25019
by Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25020
by John Simon
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D25027
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D25034
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Edward Lutterell (Luttrell)
line engraving, 1706
NPG D25022
Anne of Denmark engraved as Queen Elizabeth I
by George Vertue, after Isaac Oliver
line and stipple engraving, 1717 (circa 1610)
NPG D48099
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